One day visit to Medawachchiya

This was kind of an accidental visit to archaeological sites in this area as my objective was to conquer the Waddakanda-an isolated mountain range which is situated in between Medawachchiya and Horowpathana (Refer trip report Weddakanda Climb). As we were unable to find a guide to climb Waddakanda, had to visit at these places. I decided to write down them because a lot of travelers are not aware of them.

Handagalakanda/Handagala cave Temple

Handagalakanda is a rock situated in Rathmalgahawewa. It occupies caves and some other ruins belong to Anuradhapura era. On top of Handagala rock you can have a panoramic surrounding view.

Rathmalgahawewa is situated 21km away from Medawachchiya in Horowpathana road. Handagala is situated in about 5km from Rathmalgahawewa. You have to get a three wheeler from Rathmalgahawewa to Handagala.

The height of Handagalakanda temple is about 300feet from surrounding plain and 648ft above mean sea level. They have excavated about 45 drip ledged caves in this area. The name Handagala (meaning moon-rock) may have been coined because of the prominently located circular boulder on the hill crest that could be seen from a considerable distance over the surrounding forest cover resembling the full-moon. Handagalakanda was one of first excavations done by H C P Bell after establishment of archeology department in Sri Lanka in 1890. Dr Senarath Paranawithana had mentioned in his work “inscriptions of Ceylon” published in 1970 reproduced the 30cave inscriptions that have been identified in Handagala. These inscriptions are belonging to different time periods. The information recorded in them are limited to particulars regarding the donation of caves owned by different persons for the benefit of the priesthood as was generally characteristic of inscriptions of that era. Bell’s report for the year 1892 is accompanied by a photograph of a vihara building and a line drawing done to scale by the Survey Department of what was available of a fresco painting on a cave roof at Handagala. The reproduction of the pieces of the painting shows two figures – a male and female. While the male whose face is missing appears to be sturdily built, the portions of the other human figure show a female face, and a pair of graceful hands. A temple drum is also to be prominently seen. The costumes of the two figures as seen from the fresco fragment indicate them to be a pair of dancers. This fresco which appears belong to a later era, may have been one of several that may have covered much of this particular cave roof which is the largest at Handagala.

Summarized and quoted from- amazinglanka.com/heritage/handagala/handagala.php

Entrance of the temple.

When you climb along stone footsteps, first you will meet an ancient Pohoya House (පොහොය ගෙය) which has been renovated. Behind this building there is a cave which had ancient paintings now we can’t see. Ancient Dewalaya is situated in front of these structures. Close to the Dewalaya a stone inscription can be noticed and it has been documented. Get down by the foot pathway on right hand side of Dewalaya to come across 3-4 drip ledged caves with stone inscriptions.

Ancient Pohoya House with “Seema Malakaya” සීමා මාලකය

The cave which had ancient paintings

Ancient Dewalaya.

Documented stone inscriptions

Above mentioned stone inscription.

The cave with drip ledge.

Stone inscription with Brahami letters

Another stone inscription.

The first stupa you will come across close to Dewalaya is a new construction. Ancient image house is situated few steps above this stupa. It has been renovated recently. A “Hulang Kapolla” (හුලo කපොල්ල) can be viewed on right hand side of the image house. Go upwards by passing the image house to reach the summit of this rock.

Ancient image house.

“Hulang Kapolla”. White arrow shows the hole through which wind passes.

Paintings of the image house.

The ceiling.

Footsteps upwards.

We had a panoramic view on top of the summit. Two stupas can be seen here. Newly made seated Buddha statue adds a beauty to this temple. Waddakanda, Mihinthale and main pagoda’s of Anuradhapura can be viewed from here.

View of Waddakanda from Handagala. Waddakanda is the highest point of this area.

Mihinthale.

Nearby another rock temple called “Kuda Dambulu Wehera”-කුඩා දබුලු වෙහෙර.

Newly built stupa on top of Handagala.

Ancient stupa.

Buddha statue.

There is a small foot pathway in between two rocks in front of Dewalaya. It brings you to some other caves and a stupa. These caves are larger than previous ones and have some evidences of wall paintings. Stone inscriptions can be seen there. This stupa is also fairly large and has been preserved well by the archeology department. At the moment it has three basal rings only.

Narrow foot pathway and direction is shown here.

Drip ledge and stone inscriptions.

Another stone inscription.

Evidences of paintings.

A Buddha statue has been there.

This must be the largest cave.

Ancient stupa.

A part of stone pillar…these ruins can be seen around the stupa.

Another ruin.

ආදා ලකුණ-Evidences of treasurer

Kiralagala/Weherabandigala (කිරලා ගල/වෙහෙරබැදි ගල)

This archaeology site is situated in Medawachchiya-Horowpathana road close to Horowpathana. It’s old name is Weherabandigala and this name is still used in maps as well. But the name used by villagers and archaeology department is Kiralagala.
Kiralagala archaeology site has features of old Buddhist monastery belongs to Anuradhapura era. This site has been well preserved by archaeology department. It occupies ruins of a hospital, an image house, a large pond, a stupa and few residencies of bikku.

Upper part of umbrella stone.

A moon stone without engravings.

The path inside the archeology site.

A basement of a structure.

Most probably the basement of a residency of bikku (ආවාස ගෙය)

“Bodhigaraya” බෝධි ඝරය

Steps to the image house.

Small pond situated close to the image house. Picture was taken 3years ago.

Ruins of a hospital /”Ganthagaraya” ජන්තාගාරය.

Urinal stone.

The pond. This is the most significant structure found in this site. It is a massive construction.

When it fills with water. This picture was taken 3years ago.

Steps to getting down.

How water came into the pond.

Stone inscription found close to the stupa.

Stupa

When you travel from Kiralagala to Rathmalgahawewa you will come across an isolated archaeology site on left hand side. It carries ruin of a stupa situated in a paddy field. According to the care taker of Kiralagala this stupa also belong to Kiralagala site. This area is called Kulumeemakada (කුලුමීමාකඩ). The special feature I have noticed at this stupa is arches on either side of staircase. There is a slab inscription as well.

Kulumeemakada stupa.

Note the arches on either side of staircase.

“Siri Pathul Gala”

Slab inscription.

Content of slab inscription.

Vevalkatiya (වේවැල්කැටිය) Archeological site.

This site is situated about 1km from the road of Medawachchiya-Horowpathana. It will come across after Rathmalgahawewa when you travel from Horowpathana. It has two pillar inscriptions.

Direction.

Pillar inscription 1.

Isinbassagala (ඉසින් බැස්ස ගල)-“The rock that saga came from”

This is somewhat popular place situated about 1.4km away from Medawachchiya towards Vawuniya. Although it’s history goes back to Anuradhapura era no much archaeological things to be seen there. It is believed Mahinda Arahath Thero first arrived here before Mihinthale. On top of the rock you can have a beautiful panoramic surrounding view. Great stupa of Anuradhapura and Mihinthale can be viewed from here.

This temple complex was built by King Dewanmpiyathissa (250-210BC) right after introduction of Buddhism. Most of the constructions are seen nowadays belonged to early 20th century.

Towards the top of Isinbassagala.

Arrival of Mihindu Arahath Thero with his followers to Isinbassagala.

Sacred foot print is the only archeological thing I could notice.

View of Mihinthale.

Three great stupas of Anuradhapura- Ruwanwelisaya, Jethawanaramaya and Abhayagiriya.

Isinbassagala new temple.

Newly built stupa. This was built at the place of old temple.

Cave temple. This is called “Arahath Guhawa.” අරහත් ගුහාව

Thanks for reading.